Olivia Chow

Distinguished visiting professor

In a political career that began in 1985, Olivia Chow has been one of Canada’s most effective and well-known public figures, serving in municipal politics in Toronto and on the national stage as a Canadian Member of Parliament. She was voted Best City Councilor seven times by readers of Now magazine and Best MP in 2010, while readers of the Toronto Sun voted her Top Torontonian in 2012 and Canadian Immigrant magazine named her as one of the top 25 immigrants. Olivia is also the best selling author of Olivia Chow: My Journey, published in 2014. Recently, Olivia Chow joined Ryerson University as a Distinguished Visiting Professor. Her work will focus on community engagement and democratic participation.

Olivia was born in Hong Kong and moved to Toronto with her parents when she was thirteen. She studied philosophy and art at university and has worked as a college professor, an ESL teacher, counselor for new immigrants and a sculptor.